Discipline boot camps, also known as military style boot camps, are typically provided for adolescents that have issues with authority or have gotten into some kind of trouble. The adolescents can be sent to boot camp by their parents, child services, or someone within the judicial system.



Boot camps feature military training, exercise, and discipline in an attempt to control defiance, teach respect, and bring about an improvement in behavior. These types of boot camps do not deal with emotional situations but deal strictly with behavior control and modification.



Military style boot camps can be run by different organizations and because of this may have different rules and regulations. Boot camps that are run by states typically house juveniles that have been sent to the camp as punishment for a crime. There are also boot camps that are run by organizations or businesses that meet the needs of parents who feel their child would benefit from tough love.

Regardless of who runs the boot camp most camps will have very detailed rules that must be followed, extreme physical activity both as a normal daily routine and as punishment for breaking the rules. Discipline boot camps try to break the child down in the sense that they understand that they are not in charge and that they must respect authority. It is the hope of the parents, courts, and providers that the juvenile will understand that these things hold true outside of boot camp as well.

Although boot camp can be a viable choice for many adolescents it will not work for everyone. There are some juveniles that will rebel regardless of where they are at because they instinctively know that even though they may be punished it will ultimately end. There is also the chance that any changes made during boot camp will be lost once the child is back home and feeling comfortable in their surroundings.
As a parent, there are many things to consider before sending a child to boot camp. Research needs to be done to make sure that the proper camp is chosen and it is important to get references.